Recombinant DNA technology has opened new horizons in the study of gene function and the regulation of gene action. In particular, the ability to insert genes and their controlling nucleic acid sequences into new recipient organisms allows for the manipulation of these genes in order to examine their activity in unique environments, away from the constraints posed in their normal host. Genetic transformation normally is achieved easily with microorganisms; new genetic material may be inserted into them, either into their chromosomes or into extrachromosomal elements, the plasmids. Thus, virus can be created to metabolize specific products or to produce new products witch is called bioenginnered virus.

Bio-Fertilizers are natural fertilizers which are microbial inoculants of bacteria, algae, fungi alone or in combination and they augment the availability of nutrients to the plants. These broadly include the nitrogen fixers (symbiotic & nonsymbiotic bacteria), phosphate solubilizing fungi and bacteria & the mycorrhizal fungi that are capable of mobilizing nonlabile nutrients from soil & transporting them to & across plant roots. So far, emphasis has been given only to certain types of biofertilizers, such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Usually carrier materials, such as peat, lignite, peat soil, humus, wood charcoal or similar material favoring the growth of microorganisms is used. However, in practice a large variety of microbial inoculants are available and being used as biofertilizers. These include Azolla, Trichoderma, Frankia and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM). A point to consider before using biofertilisers produced by commercial units is the issue of using microorganisms native to another area or region. It is possible to isolate the required species of microorganisms from a farm's soil and mass produce them. Besides allowing a better chance of survival of the organism(s) used, this ensures that local species of microorganisms alone are used. There are a few crude (but fairly effective), as well as standard laboratory procedures for isolation and mass production of biofertilisers.

Biopesticides are types of pesticides derived from natural materials, such as microbes, principally viruses, bacteria and fungi. The biopesticide that is registered for use in West Africa derives from a fungus that is a specific pathogen of locusts and grasshoppers. It specifically targets those insects and does not affect non-target organisms. Biological control is an important component of integrated pest and pathogen management. Endophyticmicrobes, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses, plant-derived compounds are all identified & characterized for use as biocontrol agents against a wide range of pathogens and pests attacking various crops. Biopesticides developed and currently made commercially available in collaborative projects with the private sector include, Biocanii, based on a strain of the fungus Verticillium lecanii for the control of whiteflies & thrips on flowers, beans, avocado, cotton, onion, citrus, asparagus, papaya, tomatoes & other horticultural crops, Biorhizium, based on two strains of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of various insects, such as spittlebugs in pastures, Biovirus, based on a baculovirus & used for the control of cassava hornworm & Ecoswing®,.a biofungicide formulated from extracts of the plant swinglia (Swinglia glutinosa).

Peptides are short proteins formed by a chain consisting of 50 or less amino acids The term bioactive peptides is used to identify molecules of peptidic nature or origin which display a biological behaviour or activity which can be developed at the industrial level for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, chemical and agro-food applications. In this way it is possible to obtain modified peptides with superior properties for therapeutic applications. The great advantage of using modified peptides instead of classical peptidomimetics is a very high bioavailability, a long lasting activity in vivo, and limited toxicity. Beside this, the costs for setting-up the synthetic strategy are quite low, when compared to those of setting-up stereo-specific synthetic routs. Examples include various forms of peptides such as galanin, peptide YY, neuropeptide Y, secretin, cholecystokinin, insulin-like peptides, LEAP-2, and a number of others .

Biocatalysis, bioprocessing & biotransformations involve the use of enzymes (often immobilized) and/or microorganisms (often immobilized whole cells) to perform chemical conversions. The enzymes are not reagents, but rather catalysis (biocatalysts performing highly focused biotransformations, but not consumed in the reaction). However, like all catalysts, there are stability issues that must be addressed for the biocatalytic process for it to be commercially sensible. Many synthetic organic chemists would like enzymes to be simple off-the-shelf catalysts that can be used painlessly to perform desired organic transformations. Applied biotransformations & biocatalysis are becoming more and more prevalent in the synthesis of fine chemicals & pharmaceuticals, as an efficient replacement for certain key reaction steps. Most important are pharmaceutical applications. There, the use of enzymes to catalyze stereospecific & regiospecific organic reactions is incredibly valuable due to potentially high degrees of selectivity and yield effected by enzymes. Another tremendous benefit is that the formation of side products can be significantly lessened.

The term biocatalyst can refer to enzymes in various forms which are pure enzymes crude enzymes, immobilised enzymes, whole cell, immobilised whole cell, catalytic antibodies, designer enzymes and recently cross-linked enzyme crystals. The employment of enzymes and whole cells have been important for many industries especially for centuries in the food & drink businesses where the production of wine, beer & cheese is dependent on the effects of the microorganisms. Biocatalysis has wide applications to produce fine chemicals, especially for the pharmaceutical industry. The biggest advance in biotransformation operation has to be recombinant DNA technology. Not only is it possible to over express particular genes but it is also possible to express them in another organism, or to create unique catalysts. For example, a plasmid containing genes over expressing trehalase has been inserted into Escherichia coli. The enzyme accumulated in the periplasm of the Escherichia coli and this made it easy to extract it by osmotic shock . It is now anticipated that within a few years more than half the world's enzymes will be produced commercially using recombinant DNA technology.

The term lipid comprises a diverse range of molecules and to some extent is a catchall for relatively water-insoluble or nonpolar compounds of biological origin, including waxes, fatty acids, fatty-acid derived phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids and terpenoids (eg. retinoids and steroids). Most lipids have some polar character in addition to being largely nonpolar. Generally, the bulk of their structure is nonpolar or hydrophobic ('water-fearing'), meaning that it does not interact well with polar solvents like water. Another part of their structure is polar or hydrophilic ('water-loving') and will tend to associate with polar solvents like water. This makes them amphiphilic molecules (having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions).For microbiology and food research sphingosines, ceramides, gangliosides, phosphatidyl inositol phosphates were used.

Microparticles are particles between 0.1 and 100 ?m in size. Commercially available microparticles include those made of glass, latex, polystyrene, various metals (carbon, silver, copper, etc.), and various magnetic materials. Microparticles have been found to have widespread applications in medicine, biochemistry, colloid chemistry, and aerosol research. Uses include chromatographic separation media, supports for immobilized enzymes, and spacers in liquid crystal displays Monodisperse melamine resin particles are a new class of polymer particles with excellent physical and chemical properties. Polystyrene nano- and microspheres particles are typically used for calibration purposes and immunoassays (latex agglutination test, FACS). Many of the tests are based on non-covalent binding of specific antibodies, antigens or cells to the hydrophobic particle surface. Covalent attachment of proteins to surface modified particles is possible .